Abstract: Apparatus and methods for identifying and counting objects having identifiers entering and exiting a surgical field are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an entry scanner, a hand held scanner and an exit scanner for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of lower antennas and an upper antenna for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. Various surgical devices with identifiers and methods for preventing electromagnetic coupling between and protecting objects and identifier are also provided. The invention further provides apparatus and methods comprising a handheld scanner and a mat adapted to underlie a patient during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an antenna coupler mechanism. The antenna coupler mechanism includes a first tuning leg, a second tuning leg, and a bottom plate. The first tuning leg includes a first inductive circuit element, the first tuning leg being configured to accept a radio frequency device in series with the first inductive circuit element. The second tuning leg includes a second inductive circuit element and a capacitive circuit element connected in series, the second tuning leg being connected electrically in parallel with the first tuning leg. In addition, the bottom plate includes a third inductive circuit element connected electrically in parallel with the first tuning leg and connected electrically in parallel with the second tuning leg, the bottom plate being configured to couple energy into a nearby structure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for identifying and counting objects having identifiers entering and exiting a surgical field are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an entry scanner, a hand held scanner and an exit scanner for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of lower antennas and an upper antenna for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. Various surgical devices with identifiers and methods for preventing electromagnetic coupling between and protecting objects and identifier are also provided. The invention further provides apparatus and methods comprising a handheld scanner and a mat adapted to underlie a patient during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for identifying and counting objects having identifiers entering and exiting a surgical field are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an entry scanner, a hand held scanner and an exit scanner for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of lower antennas and an upper antenna for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. Various surgical devices with identifiers and methods for preventing electromagnetic coupling between and protecting objects and identifier are also provided. The invention further provides apparatus and methods comprising a handheld scanner and a mat adapted to underlie a patient during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for identifying and counting objects having identifiers entering and exiting a surgical field are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an entry scanner, a hand held scanner and an exit scanner for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of lower antennas and an upper antenna for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. Various surgical devices with identifiers and methods for preventing electromagnetic coupling between and protecting objects and identifier are also provided. The invention further provides apparatus and methods comprising a handheld scanner and a mat adapted to underlie a patient during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an antenna coupler mechanism. The antenna coupler mechanism includes a first tuning leg, a second tuning leg, and a bottom plate. The first tuning leg includes a first inductive circuit element, the first tuning leg being configured to accept a radio frequency device in series with the first inductive circuit element. The second tuning leg includes a second inductive circuit element and a capacitive circuit element connected in series, the second tuning leg being connected electrically in parallel with the first tuning leg. In addition, the bottom plate includes a third inductive circuit element connected electrically in parallel with the first tuning leg and connected electrically in parallel with the second tuning leg, the bottom plate being configured to couple energy into a nearby structure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for identifying and counting objects having identifiers entering and exiting a surgical field are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an entry scanner, a hand held scanner and an exit scanner for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of lower antennas and an upper antenna for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. Various surgical devices with identifiers and methods for preventing electromagnetic coupling between and protecting objects and identifier are also provided. The invention further provides apparatus and methods comprising a handheld scanner and a mat adapted to underlie a patient during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for counting sharps returned to a container. An example method of counting sharps returned to a container having at least two layers of penetrable conductive material includes periodically checking a plurality of circuits formed by the first and second layers of material to determine if each circuit is open or closed, and keeping a count of the number of closed circuits.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for counting sharps returned to a container. An example method of counting sharps returned to a container having at least two layers of penetrable conductive material includes periodically checking a plurality of circuits formed by the first and second layers of material to determine if each circuit is open or closed, and keeping a count of the number of closed circuits.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for counting sharps returned to a container. An example method of counting sharps returned to a container having at least two layers of penetrable conductive material includes periodically checking a plurality of circuits formed by the first and second layers of material to determine if each circuit is open or closed, and keeping a count of the number of closed circuits.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for identifying and counting objects having identifiers entering and exiting a surgical field are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an entry scanner, a hand held scanner and an exit scanner for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of lower antennas and an upper antenna for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. Various surgical devices with identifiers and methods for preventing electromagnetic coupling between and protecting objects and identifier are also provided. The invention further provides apparatus and methods comprising a handheld scanner and a mat adapted to underlie a patient during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for counting sharps returned to a container. An example method of counting sharps returned to a container having at least two layers of penetrable conductive material includes periodically checking a plurality of circuits formed by the first and second layers of material to determine if each circuit is open or closed, and keeping a count of the number of closed circuits.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for identifying and counting objects having identifiers entering and exiting a surgical field are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an entry scanner, a hand held scanner and an exit scanner for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of lower antennas and an upper antenna for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. Various surgical devices with identifiers and methods for preventing electromagnetic coupling between and protecting objects and identifier are also provided. The invention further provides apparatus and methods comprising a handheld scanner and a mat adapted to underlie a patient during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an antenna coupler mechanism. The antenna coupler mechanism includes a first tuning leg, a second tuning leg, and a bottom plate. The first tuning leg includes a first inductive circuit element, the first tuning leg being configured to accept a radio frequency device in series with the first inductive circuit element. The second tuning leg includes a second inductive circuit element and a capacitive circuit element connected in series, the second tuning leg being connected electrically in parallel with the first tuning leg. In addition, the bottom plate includes a third inductive circuit element connected electrically in parallel with the first tuning leg and connected electrically in parallel with the second tuning leg, the bottom plate being configured to couple energy into a nearby structure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for identifying and counting objects having identifiers entering and exiting a surgical field are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus has an entry scanner, a hand held scanner and an exit scanner for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of lower antennas and an upper antenna for generating a detection field and for receiving data which identifies said objects. Various surgical devices with identifiers and methods for preventing electromagnetic coupling between and protecting objects and identifier are also provided. The invention further provides apparatus and methods comprising a handheld scanner and a mat adapted to underlie a patient during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an antenna coupler mechanism. The antenna coupler mechanism includes a bottom plate that includes a first conductor that is configured to couple energy into a nearby structure. A first tuning leg is connected in parallel with the bottom plate by a first set of electrical connections. The first tuning leg includes a second conductor and is configured to accept a radio frequency device in series with the second conductor. A second tuning leg is connected in parallel with the bottom plate by a second set of electrical connections. The second tuning leg includes a third conductor and a capacitor connected in series.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an antenna coupler mechanism. The antenna coupler mechanism includes a first tuning leg configured to accept a radio frequency device. The first tuning leg includes a first inductive circuit element that is connected in series with the radio frequency device. The antenna coupler mechanism further includes a second tuning leg, which includes a second inductive circuit element and a capacitive circuit element connected in series. A bottom plate is connected in parallel with the first tuning leg and in parallel with the second tuning leg. The bottom plate comprises a third inductive circuit element and is configured to couple energy into a nearby structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an antenna coupler mechanism. The antenna coupler mechanism includes a first tuning leg configured to accept a radio frequency device. The first tuning leg includes a first inductive circuit element that is connected in series with the radio frequency device. The antenna coupler mechanism further includes a second tuning leg, which includes a second inductive circuit element and a capacitive circuit element connected in series. A bottom plate is connected in parallel with the first tuning leg and in parallel with the second tuning leg. The bottom plate comprises a third inductive circuit element and is configured to couple energy into a nearby structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an antenna coupler mechanism. The antenna coupler mechanism includes a bottom plate that includes a first conductor that is configured to couple energy into a nearby structure. A first tuning leg is connected in parallel with the bottom plate by a first set of electrical connections. The first tuning leg includes a second conductor and is configured to accept a radio frequency device in series with the second conductor. A second tuning leg is connected in parallel with the bottom plate by a second set of electrical connections. The second tuning leg includes a third conductor and a capacitor connected in series.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for counting sharps returned to a container. An example method of counting sharps returned to a container having at least two layers of penetrable conductive material includes periodically checking a plurality of circuits formed by the first and second layers of material to determine if each circuit is open or closed, and keeping a count of the number of closed circuits.